Oryoki

Food Offering Verse

When chanting of Ten Buddha Names is finished, strike block with mallet once (“mallet of prayer”) and chant Verses of Food Offering. (During period of retreat, head seat (Shuso) chants it; in event that head seat does not attend meal, secretary (Shoki) chants in his/her place. Between retreats, rector chants it; in event that rector does not attend meal, rector’s assistant chants in his/her place.)

At gruel time (breakfast) chant:
This morning meal of ten benefits nourishes us in our practice.
Its rewards are boundless filling us with ease and joy.

粥有十利

shu yu jiri

饒益行人

nyoi an jin

果報無辺

kohō buhen

究寛常楽

kyu kin jo ra

At main meal time (midday meal) chant:
The three virtues and six tastes of this meal are offered to Buddha and Sangha.
May all sentient beings in the universe be equally nourished.